Streamline Container For A Van

Abstract

A streamline container for a van, comprises a base frame, two side panels and a front end panel mounted on the base frame via floor bearers, and a roof sheet mounted on the two side panels and the front end panel via roof bows. At the outside of the roof bow, there is provided a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding outwards for shunting the airflow. The angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected with the roof bow. In the present invention, due to the streamline angle-wrapping component, it is possible to effectively shunt the airflow, significantly decrease the wind resistance during the running of the van and help to reduce the energy consumption of the van.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container structure for a van.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, a container structure for a van includes a base frame 1, two side panels 2, a front end panel 3, a rear end panel with a rear door, and a roof sheet 4 which are mounted onto the periphery of the base frame 1. Currently, the outside corners for connection between two side panels 2 and the roof sheet 4 and the base frame 1 are mostly right-angled, or provided with flanges for riveting which locally form a wind-catching structure. As a result, the van suffers from a large wind resistance during running

As shown in FIG. 2, in a traditional container for a van, the side panel 2 is connected with the roof sheet 4 by a single roof bow 5. The roof bow 5 is right-angled, with its vertical edge being connected with the outer side panel 21 of the side panel 2, and its horizontal edge being connected with the roof sheet reinforcing rib 42 of the roof sheet 4. The horizontal edge is provided with an L-shaped flange which is used to be riveted with the outer roof sheet 41 of the roof sheet 4. The L-shaped flange forms a wind-catching structure which increases the wind resistance during the running of the van.

As shown in FIG. 3, in another traditional container for a van, the connection structure between the side panel 2 and the roof sheet 4 includes an outer roof bow 52 and an inner roof bow 51. In this case, the inner roof bow 51 is right-angled, and is riveted with the side panel reinforcing rib 22 and the roof sheet reinforcing rib 42. The outer roof bow 52 is right-angled and connects the outer side panel 21 and the outer roof sheet 41. To facilitate the fabrication of the right-angled outer roof bow 52, the joint for two edges of the outer roof bow 52 has a circular arc angle. Such a connection structure can also be applied to the connection between the roof sheet and the front and/or rear end panel. Compared with the single roof bow 5 described above, the connection structure shown in FIG. 3 reduces the wind resistance during running of the van, because the outer roof bow 52 is not provided with a flange. However, since the circular arc angle for the outer roof bow 52 is too small to shunt the airflow and reduce the wind resistance, the van still suffers from a large wind resistance during running.

As shown in FIG. 4, in a traditional container for a van, the connection structure between the side panel 2 and the base frame 1 includes a flat-shaped floor bearer 6 connecting the outer side panel 21 and the outer surface of the base frame 1. At the middle of the floor bearer 6, an auxiliary connecting plate 61 is provided for being connected onto the base frame 1. Such a connection structure can also be applied to the connection between the front/rear end panel and the base frame. The floor bearer 6 is flat-shaped and can not shunt the airflow and reduce the wind resistance. As a result, the van suffers from a large wind resistance during running.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the drawbacks in the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a streamline container for a van with a small wind resistance during the running of the van.

The following solution is adapted in the present invention to achieve the above object.

The streamline container for a van according to the present invention includes a base frame, two side panels and a front end panel mounted on the base frame via floor bearers, and a roof sheet mounted on the two side panels and the front end panel via roof bows. At the outside of the roof bow, there is provided a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding outwards for shunting the airflow. The angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected with the roof bow.

A side floor bearer of the floor bearers serves to connect the side panel and the base frame, an outside of the side floor bearer is provided with a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding outwards for shunting the airflow, and the angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected with the side floor bearer.

A front floor bearer of the floor bearers serves to connect the front end panel and the base frame, an outside of the front floor bearer is provided with a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding outwards for shunting the airflow, and the angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected with the front floor bearer.

Both ends of the angle-wrapping component are riveted, adhered, or detachably connected to the outside of the roof bow or the front/side floor bearer.

A portion on the roof bow for connecting the outer side panel of the roof sheet is provided with a clamping slot at the outside thereof, a portion on the roof bow for connecting the outer side panel of the side panel is provided with a clamping slot at the outside thereof, and both ends of the angle-wrapping component are engaged into the two clamping slots.

A portion on the floor bearer for connecting the base frame is provided with a clamping slot at the outside thereof, a portion on the floor bearer for connecting the outer side panel of the side panel is provided with a clamping slot at the outside thereof, and both ends of the angle-wrapping component are engaged into the two clamping slots.

The angle-wrapping component is provided with engaging parts at both ends respectively, the engaging parts protrude inwards and have L-shaped cross sections, a portion of the engaging part is stuck to the opening of the clamping slot, the other portion perpendicular thereto extends into the clamping slot and attaches onto the inner surface of one slot wall, and the outer surface of the slot wall is smoothly and transitionally connected with the outer surface of the angle-wrapping component.

The angle-wrapping component is a circular arc surface with a radius not less than 40 mm.

The angle-wrapping component is formed by connecting multiple circular arc surfaces or by connecting at least one circular arc surfaces with involute surfaces smoothly and transitionally.

The roof bow has a vertical edge for connecting the outer side panel of the side panel or an outer front panel of the front end panel and a horizontal edge for connecting the outer roof sheet of the roof sheet, and the two clamping slots are provided at an upper end of the vertical edge and an outer end of the horizontal edge, respectively.

The floor bearer has two vertical edges and a horizontal edge for connecting the two vertical edges. A lower vertical edge is connected with the base frame, and an upper vertical edge is connected with the outer side panel of the side panel. The two clamping slots are provided at a lower end of the lower vertical edge and a bending position of the upper vertical edge and the horizontal edge, respectively.

The space between the angle-wrapping component and the roof bow and the floor bearer is filled with foam.

The streamline container for a van according to the present invention has the following advantages and effects. According to the present invention, the outside of the roof bow for connecting the roof sheet and each of the side panel, the front end panel and the rear end panel is provided with a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding outwards for shunting the airflow, and the angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected with the roof bow, so that it is possible to effectively shunt the airflow, significantly decrease the wind resistance during the running of the van and help to reduce the energy consumption of the van.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container structure for a van in the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 1, showing a connection structure between the side panel and the roof sheet for a van in the prior art;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 1, showing another connection structure between the side panel and the roof sheet for a van in the prior art;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B in FIG. 1, showing a connection structure between the side panel and the base frame for a van in the prior art;

FIG. 5 shows the structure of a roof bow and an angle-wrapping component for connecting the side panel and the roof sheet in a streamline container for a van according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows the structure of a floor bearer and an angle-wrapping component for connecting the side panel and the base frame in a streamline container for a van according to the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the airflow shunted by the angle-wrapping component in a streamline container for a van according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the present invention will be described in details thereafter. It should be noted that the embodiments described herein are intended to illustrate but not limit the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the streamline container for a van according to the present invention includes a base frame 1, two side panels 2 and a front end panel 3 mounted onto the periphery of the base frame 1 via floor bearers, a roof sheet 4 mounted on the two side panels 2 and the front end panel 3 via roof bows, and a rear door (not shown).

The roof bows include two side roof bows 7 for connecting the roof sheet 4 and the two side panels 2 respectively, and a front roof bow for connecting the roof sheet 4 and the front end panel 3. The floor bearers include two side floor bearers for connecting the two side panels 2 and the base frame 1 respectively, and a front floor bearer for connecting the front end panel 3 and the base frame 1. The top of the container suffers from the largest wind resistance when the van is running. Accordingly, in the present invention, at the outside of the front roof bow and the side roof bow, there is provided a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding outwards for shunting the airflow. Furthermore, the angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected with each roof bow. To further reduce the wind resistance, it is also possible to provide at the outside of the side floor bearer a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding outwards for shunting the airflow, and this angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected the side floor bearer. In addition, it is possible to provide at the outside of the front floor bearer a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding outwards for shunting the airflow, and this angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected with the front floor bearer. Although the front side beam is relatively close to the cab, not only can the wind resistance be reduced by providing the angle-wrapping component, but the container of the present invention is formed into an integral entirety and has a beautiful appearance. Both ends of each angle-wrapping component described above can be detachably mounted on the outside of the roof bow, the front floor bearer or the side floor bearer by lapping and then riveting, adhesion or plug-in connection.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the streamline container for a van of the present invention, the side roof bow 7 has a vertical edge 8 for connecting the outer side panel 21 of the side panel 2 and a horizontal edge 9 for connecting the outer roof sheet 41 of the roof sheet 4. A clamping slot 81 is provided at the upper end of the vertical edge 8, and a clamping slot 91 is provided at the outer end of the horizontal edge 9.

The angle-wrapping component 10 has a circular arc surface with a radius of 50 mm. However, the radius of the circular arc surface is not limited to 50 mm, and is generally not less than 40 mm, as long as the circular arc surface can effectively shunt the airflow. Both ends of the angle-wrapping component 10 are engaged into the clamping slot 91 of the horizontal edge 9 and the clamping slot 81 of the vertical edge roof bow 8. The angle-wrapping component 10 is provided with clamping parts 14 at both ends therof. The clamping parts 14 protrude inwards and have L-shaped cross sections. A portion of the clamping part 14 is stuck to the opening of the clamping slot 91 or 81, and the other portion perpendicular thereto extends into the clamping slot 91 or 81 and attaches onto the inner surface of a slot wall. Besides, the outer surface of the slot wall is smoothly and transitionally connected with the outer surface of the angle-wrapping component, so that the wind resistance during the running of van can be further decreased microscopically.

In the present invention, the side roof bow 7 can also be formed into a detachable two- or multiple-body structure. As long as clamping slots for accommodating the angle-wrapping component are provided in the side roof bow 7 at the outer end of a portion for connecting the outer roof sheet 41 and at a portion for connecting the outer side panel 21, the angle-wrapping component can be mounted by plug-in connection. In case that the angle-wrapping component is mounted onto the side roof bow 7 by adhesion, or lapping and then riveting, and the like, it is not necessary to provide the clamping slot. In the present invention, the angle-wrapping component may be mounted on the front roof bow in the same way as the angle-wrapping component is mounted on the side roof bow 7, which is not described here for clarity.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the streamline container for a van according to the present invention, the side floor bearer 11 has two vertical edges and a horizontal edge for connecting these two vertical edges. The lower vertical edge is connected with the base frame 1, and is provided with a clamping slot 13 at the outside of the lower end; and the upper vertical edge is connected with the outer side panel 21 of the side panel 2, and is provided with a clamping slot 12 at the bending position connecting the vertical edge with the horizontal edge.

The angle-wrapping component 10 is made up of two circular arc surfaces with different radius which are connected smoothly and transitionally. The upper end of the angle-wrapping component 10 is provided with a clamping part 14. The clamping part 14 protrudes inwards and has an L-shaped cross section. A portion of the clamping part 14 extends into the clamping slot 12, and the other portion perpendicular thereto is stuck to a slot wall of the opening for the clamping slot 12. The outer surface of the slot wall is smoothly and transitionally connected with the outer surface of the angle-wrapping component 10, so that the wind resistance during the running of van can be further decreased.

Similarly, the side floor bearer 11 according to the present invention can also be formed into a two-body structure or other suitable forms. As long as clamping slots for accommodating the angle-wrapping component are provided in the side floor bearer 11 at a portion for connecting the outer side panel 21 and at a portion for connecting the base frame 1, the angle-wrapping component can be mounted by plug-in connection. In case that the angle-wrapping component is mounted onto the side floor bearer 11 by adhesion, lapping and then riveting, and the like, it is not necessary to provide the clamping slot. In the present invention, the angle-wrapping component may be mounted on the front floor bearer in the same way as the angle-wrapping component is mounted on the side floor bearer, which is not described here for clarity.

In the streamline container for a van according to the present invention, the angle-wrapping component 10 is not limited to the forms described above, but can be made up of circular arc surfaces, involute surfaces and the like which are tangent and connected with each other smoothly and transitionally, as long as it can shunt the airflow so as to decrease the wind resistance during the transport of the van.

In the present invention, the space between the angle-wrapping component and the roof bow and floor bearer can also be filled with foam so as to increase the strength of the angle-wrapping component; otherwise it is not filled with foam but used for wiring to make the container more beautiful. In addition, the angle-wrapping component 10 is connected with the roof bow or the floor bearer by plug-in connection, so that when the roof bow or the floor bearer is partially damaged or suffers from wiring failure, the angle-wrapping component can be dismounted conveniently for repair or replacement.

In the streamline container for a van according to the present invention, the angle-wrapping component can also be mounted on the rear door corner column and the corner column connecting the front end panel and side panel, respectively. Each angle-wrapping component may be mounted on the corner column in the same way as it is mounted on the roof bow and the floor bearer, and the angle-wrapping component can be detachably connected by riveting, adhesion or plug-in connection.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the streamline container for a van according to the present invention, streamline angle-wrapping components protruding outwards are provided not only at the outside of the roof bow connecting the roof sheet and the side panel as well as the front end panel, but also at the outside of the floor bearer connecting the base frame and the side panel as well as the front end panel, and the outer surface of the angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected with the outer surface of the container, so that it is possible to effectively shunt the airflow, significantly decrease the wind resistance during the running of the van and help to reduce the energy consumption of the van.

While the present invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the terms herein illustrate rather than limit the present invention. The present invention can be practiced in many particular embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and thus it will be appreciated that the above embodiments should not be limited to any details described above, but should be interpreted broadly with the spirit and scope defined by the appended claims. The appended claims intend to cover all the modifications and changes falling within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A streamline container for a van, comprising: a base frame, two side panels and a front end panel mounted onto said base frame via floor bearers, and a roof sheet mounted on said two side panels and said front end panel via roof bows, wherein at the outside of said roof bows, there is provided a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding outwards for shunting the airflow, said angle-wrapping component being smoothly and transitionally connected with said roof bow.

2. The streamline container for a van according to claim 1, wherein a side floor bearer of said floor bearers connects said side panel and said base frame, an outside of said side floor bearer is provided with a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding outwards for shunting the airflow, and said angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected with said side floor bearer.

3. The streamline container for a van according to claim 2, wherein a front floor bearer of said floor bearers connects said front end panel and said base frame, an outside of said front floor bearer is provided with a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding outwards for shunting the airflow, and said angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected with said front floor bearer.

4. The streamline container for a van according to claim 3, wherein both ends of the angle-wrapping component are lapped and then riveted, adhered or detachably connected to the outside of said roof bow or said front/side floor bearer.

5. The streamline container for a van according to claim 1, wherein a portion on said roof bow for connecting the outer side panel of said roof sheet is provided with a clamping slot at the outside thereof, a portion on said roof bow for connecting the outer side panel of said side panel is provided with a clamping slot at the outside thereof, and both ends of said angle-wrapping component are engaged into said two clamping slots, respectively.

6. The streamline container for a van according to claim 3, wherein a portion on said floor bearer for connecting said base frame is provided with a clamping slot at the outside thereof, a portion on said floor bearer for connecting said outer side panel of said side panel is provided with a clamping slot at the outside thereof, and both ends of said angle-wrapping component are engaged into said two clamping slots, respectively.

7. The streamline container for a van according to claim 5, wherein said angle-wrapping component is provided with clamping parts at both ends respectively, said clamping parts protrude inwards and have L-shaped cross sections, a portion of the clamping part is stuck to the opening of said clamping slot, the other portion perpendicular thereto extends into said clamping slot and attaches onto the inner surface of one slot wall, and the outer surface of said slot wall is smoothly and transitionally connected with the outer surface of said angle-wrapping component.

8. The streamline container for a van according to claim 6, wherein said angle-wrapping component is provided with clamping parts at both ends respectively, said clamping parts protrude inwards and have L-shaped cross sections, a portion of the clamping part is stuck to the opening of said clamping slot, the other portion perpendicular thereto extends into said clamping slot and attaches onto the inner surface of one slot wall, and the outer surface of said slot wall is smoothly and transitionally connected with the outer surface of said angle-wrapping component.

9. The streamline container for a van according to claim 1, wherein said angle-wrapping component is a circular arc surface with a radius not less than 40 mm.

10. The streamline container for a van according to claim 1, wherein said angle-wrapping component is formed by connecting multiple circular arc surfaces or by connecting at least one circular arc surface with involute surfaces smoothly and transitionally.

11. The streamline container for a van according to claim 2, wherein said angle-wrapping component is formed by connecting multiple circular arc surfaces or by connecting at least one circular arc surface with involute surfaces smoothly and transitionally.

12. The streamline container for a van according to claim 3, wherein said angle-wrapping component is formed by connecting multiple circular arc surfaces or by connecting at least one circular arc surface with involute surfaces smoothly and transitionally.

13. The streamline container for a van according to claim 4, wherein said angle-wrapping component is formed by connecting multiple circular arc surfaces or by connecting at least one circular arc surface with involute surfaces smoothly and transitionally.

14. The streamline container for a van according to claim 5, wherein said angle-wrapping component is formed by connecting multiple circular arc surfaces or by connecting at least one circular arc surface with involute surfaces smoothly and transitionally.

15. The streamline container for a van according to claim 6, wherein said angle-wrapping component is formed by connecting multiple circular arc surfaces or by connecting at least one circular arc surface with involute surfaces smoothly and transitionally.

16. The streamline container for a van according to claim 5, wherein said roof bow has a vertical edge for connecting the outer side panel of said side panel or an outer front panel of said front end panel and a horizontal edge for connecting the outer roof sheet of said roof sheet, and said two clamping slots are provided at an upper end of said vertical edge and an outer end of said horizontal edge, respectively.

17. The streamline container for a van according to claim 6, wherein said floor bearer has two vertical edges and a horizontal edge for connecting said two vertical edges, wherein the lower vertical edge is connected with said base frame, the upper vertical edge is connected with said outer side panel of said side panel, and said two clamping slots are provided at a lower end of said lower vertical edge and a bending position connecting said upper vertical edge with said horizontal edge, respectively.

18. The streamline container for a van according to claim 1, wherein a space between said angle-wrapping component and said roof bow and said floor bearer is filled with foam.